Be Bright and Wear White

Spring is here and it is time to shine at the Spring Forward for Autism’s 4th annual “Illuminate the Night” gala affair on April 22nd at the Grand Manor, formerly the Space Coast Association of Realtors at 1450 Sarno Road in Melbourne. Join Brevard’s finest for cocktails, food, music, dancing, a silent auction and much more. The night promises to be the “chic, fun and must do” social event of the spring. The dress code for this elegant affair is “all white cocktail attire.” Following in the footsteps of similar themed parties in the Hamptons and Miami, this event promises to be one of the best parties of the year, while also helping Brevard’s autistic community. Proceeds will help families with autistic children and organizations that work on their behalf such as: The Scott Center for Autism, Support Our Autistic Kids (SOAK), the Parker Center for Autism and Child Development and ASK US Florida. Call (954) 214-6781 or go online and get your tickets today.

Spring Forward for Autism is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2015 by two friends, Shelia Schmitt and Susan Belcher, whose son has autism. Their original goal was to help raise
money via a Zumbathon for the Scott Center for Autism’s WISH program (a program that gives scholarships to autistic children). After just two fundraisers, their efforts were rewarded; they raised
over $30,000 for the Scott Center. They soon realized how great the need was to help more children with autism in a variety of
age groups. Meegan Alphin joined as a board member in 2016. Spring Forward for Autism has raised over $56,000 and has now benefited more than 79 families with autistic children ages 1-18.

“Getting these specialized services is very expensive and not all families with autistic children are able to afford the benefits of these programs. We want to change that,” Belcher said. After realizing the enormous gap in services for Brevard’s underprivileged autistic children, Spring Forward for Autism Awareness became a reality.

For more information about the Spring
Forward for Autism Awareness, a nonprofit
organization, or about becoming a
sponsor for the “Illuminate the Night”
Gala event on April 22nd, please contact
Susan Belcher at (954) 214-6781 or visit
www.springforwardforautism.net.